Packaging for Optical Discs

ABSTRACT

A package for holding a plurality of jewel cases for optical discs is provided, comprising a shell member having a first compartment and a second compartment, a cover sealably attachable to the shell member, and one or more mask areas on the shell member. Each of the mask areas are sized and positioned to obscure bar code indicia on the individual jewel cases contained within the shell member. In a preferred embodiment, the package is transparent, and it may contain a CD jewel case and a DVD jewel case. A third compartment contains an informational insert with a bar code or other point-of-sale indicia so that the package can be sold as a single unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application is a continuation of U.S. Non-ProvisionalApplication No. 11/749,458 filed May 16, 2007, still pending, whichclaims the benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/801,674,filed May 16, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices and methods used topackage optical discs, such as compact discs (CD's), digital versatilediscs (DVD's), and other disc-shaped media, and more particularly tosuch devices which hold a standard-size CD jewel case and astandard-size DVD jewel case for sale as a single unit.

II. Background and Prior Art

Packaging and storage devices for media are generally known. Disc-shapedmedia, such as CD's, DVD's or CD-ROM's, encounter special problems inhandling, packaging and storage due to their delicate, flat recordedsurfaces. Such disc media is generally sold in plastic cases which aresometimes referred to as “jewel boxes” or “jewel cases.” Such cases aregenerally rectangular and have a mounting hub for holding the disc mediaby its center aperture. Such cases are usually kept after purchase ofthe disc media and utilized for re-packaging of the disc media betweenusage.

It is often desirable to market and sell music CD and DVD products as asingle package, particularly when the products are from a single artist.For example, a music CD and a music video DVD may be sold to consumerswho desire both media for their enjoyment. However, there is no simpleand effective means to package these different products in a single unitfor retail sale. Moreover, if such products were placed within a singlepackage, such package may prevent the consumer from viewing theindividual CD or DVD cases as they may have been sold separately in thepast. Furthermore, if such individual CD and DVD cases were containedwithin a transparent case, the individual UPC data on each case mayinadvertently be scanned at the point of sale. Therefore, a need existsfor a packaging system which allows the co-marketing and sale of CD/CDand CD/DVD jewel cases within a single unit having its own UPC datawhich cannot be confused with prior LJPC data for the individual cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a packagefor the sale of two or more optical discs as a single unit.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a package forcontaining a CD-size jewel case and a DVD-size jewel case within asingle unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a package formultiple CD and/or DVD jewel cases which includes mask areas forobscuring the UPC or other identifying indicia on the individual jewelcases.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package formultiple CD and/or DVD jewel cases which includes a compartment or areacontaining an informational insert or label, along with UPC data for theentire package.

Accordingly, a package for holding a plurality of jewel cases foroptical discs is provided, comprising a shell member having a firstcompartment and a second compartment, a cover seal ably attachable tothe shell member, and one or more mask areas on the shell member. Eachof the mask areas are sized and positioned to obscure bar code indiciaon the individual jewel cases contained within the shell member. In apreferred embodiment, the package is transparent, and it may contain aCD jewel case and a DVD jewel case. A third compartment contains aninformational insert with a bar code or other point-of-sale indicia sothat the package can be sold as a single unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a preferred embodiment of a package forholding optical disc jewel cases.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of the package of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to FIG. 1, a package for holding a plurality of jewel casesfor optical discs is shown. In a preferred configuration, the package 1generally comprises a shell member 2 having a first compartment 3 and asecond compartment 4, and a cover 5 sealably attachable to the shellmember 2. As is well known in the industry, prerecorded CD and DVDproducts are typically sold in standard-size jewel cases which containat least one Universal Product Code (UPC). The UPC comprises analphanumeric sequence adjacent to a scannable bar code so that theproduct can be scanned at the point of sale. Because the presentinvention is directed to a package that is intended to be sold as asingle unit, it is necessary to prevent the scanning of the individualUPC codes for each of the contained jewel cases, such that separate UPCdata for the single unit can be scanned. Therefore, one or more maskareas 6 are located on the shell member 2, best shown in FIG. 2, whereineach of the mask areas 6 are sized and positioned to obscure UPC barcode indicia on the individual jewel cases.

In a preferred embodiment, the first compartment 3 is shaped to containa CD jewel case and the second compartment 4 is shaped to contain a DVDjewel case. Alternatively, the first and second compartments 3, 4 mayeach be shaped to contain a CD jewel case, or they may each be shaped tocontain a DVD jewel case.

The cover 5 or the shell member 2, or both, may be constructed fromcommon plastic sheet used extensively in the industry. In mostapplications, it will be desirable for the shell member 2 and the cover5 to be transparent such that the individual jewel cases may be readilyviewable by consumers. The shell member 2 preferably comprises a thirdcompartment 7 adjacent to the first or second compartment 3, 4, whereinthe third compartment 7 is sized to contain or accommodate aninformational insert or label 8 having a unique UPC bar code 9 or otherinformation about the single package 1. The package 1 also includes atleast one or more slots 10, 11 formed into the shell member 2 and coverbetween the first and second compartments 3, 4 for engagement with aretail shelving system, such as conventional rack components or wires.

The mask areas 6 on the shell member 2 may simply comprise an opaqueregion, such as a colored area which is effective in preventing the barcodes or other UPC data on the individual jewel cases from being scannedat the point of sale. Alternatively, the mask areas 6 may each comprisea textured region formed into the shell member 2 at the time that theshell member 2 is manufactured. Such textured regions should besufficient to reflect, refract, or otherwise obscure the scanning of theindividual jewel cases.

In a preferred configuration, the present invention should bemanufactured in a generally rectangular shape, such that a taller DVDjewel case positioned next to a shorter CD jewel cases provides aconvenient region for the single-package informational area 8. One ofthe key advantages of the present invention is that it allowsco-marketing and sale of a prerecorded music CD with a prerecorded musicDVD in their originally marketed cases. Thus, the distribution of asingle-unit package 1 having both CD and DVD products will not requireany changes to the existing packaging of the individual products.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may bemade by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarilydeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A package for holding a plurality of jewel cases for optical discs,comprising: (a) a shell member having a first compartment and a secondcompartment; (b) a cover sealably attachable to said shell member; and(c) one or more mask areas on said shell member, wherein each of saidmask areas are sized and positioned to obscure bar code indicia on saidjewel cases.
 2. The package of claim 1, wherein said first compartmentis shaped to contain a CD jewel case and said second compartment isshaped to contain a DVD jewel case.
 3. The package of claim 1, whereinsaid first and second compartments are each shaped to contain a CD jewelcase.
 4. The package of claim 1, wherein said cover is transparent. 5.The package of claim 1, wherein said shell member is transparent.
 6. Thepackage of claim 1, wherein said mask area comprises an opaque region.7. The package of claim 1, wherein said mask area comprises a texturedregion.
 8. The package of claim 1, wherein said shell member comprises athird compartment adjacent to said first or second compartment, whereinsaid third compartment is sized to contain an informational insert. 9.The package of claim 1, further comprising at least one slot formed intosaid shell member between said first and second compartments forengagement with a retail shelving system.
 10. A package for holding aplurality of jewel cases for optical discs, comprising: (a) a shellmember having a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein saidfirst compartment is shaped to contain a CD jewel case and said secondcompartment is shaped to contain a DVD jewel case; and (b) a coversealably attachable to said shell member; and wherein said shell memberfurther includes a third compartment adjacent to said first or secondcompartment, wherein said third compartment is sized to contain aninformational insert.
 11. The package of claim 10, wherein said shellmember further includes one or more mask areas, wherein each of saidmask areas are sized and positioned to obscure bar code indicia on saidjewel cases.
 12. The package of claim 10, wherein said cover istransparent.
 13. The package of claim 10, wherein said shell member istransparent.
 14. The package of claim 10, wherein said mask areacomprises an opaque region.
 15. The package of claim 10, wherein saidmask area comprises a textured region.
 16. The package of claim 10,further comprising at least one slot formed into said shell memberbetween said first and second compartments for engagement with a retailshelving system.